U.S. patent number 10,271,440 [Application Number 15/954,510] was granted by the patent office on 2019-04-23 for multi-chamber gfci housing apparatus.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Tower Manufacturing Company. The grantee listed for this patent is Victor V Aromin, Daniel R Paquette. Invention is credited to Victor V Aromin, Daniel R Paquette.
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United States Patent |
10,271,440 |
Aromin , et al. |
April 23, 2019 |
Multi-chamber GFCI housing apparatus
Abstract
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention a
multi-chamber GFCI housing apparatus is provided. The multi-chamber
GFCI housing includes a printed circuit board (PCB) chamber and an
isolated cable chamber; each chamber is independently accessible
and water resistant. In addition, the relative volumes, of each
independent chamber permit sufficient housing volume to allow for
sufficient spacing between electrical GFCI components and
electrical PCB traces to prevent the risk of arcing between the
components while also adhering to constrained dimensions according
to electrical codes and standards.
Inventors: |
Aromin; Victor V (West Warwick,
RI), Paquette; Daniel R (Woonsocket, RI) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Aromin; Victor V
Paquette; Daniel R |
West Warwick
Woonsocket |
RI
RI |
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Tower Manufacturing Company
(Providence, RI)
|
Family
ID: |
63791132 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/954,510 |
Filed: |
April 16, 2018 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20180302997 A1 |
Oct 18, 2018 |
|
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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62485961 |
Apr 16, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R
12/53 (20130101); H05K 5/0247 (20130101); H05K
5/0217 (20130101); H05K 5/0052 (20130101); H01R
13/5202 (20130101); H01R 13/7135 (20130101); H01R
24/30 (20130101); H02H 3/16 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H05K
5/00 (20060101); H05K 5/02 (20060101); H01R
13/52 (20060101); H01R 12/53 (20110101); H01R
13/713 (20060101); H01R 24/30 (20110101); H02H
3/16 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Ngo; Hung V
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application is related to, claims the earliest
available effective filing date(s) from (e.g., claims earliest
available priority dates for other than provisional patent
applications; claims benefits under 35 USC .sctn. 119(e) for
provisional patent applications), and incorporates by reference in
its entirety all subject matter of the following listed
application(s) (the "Related Applications") to the extent such
subject matter is not inconsistent herewith; the present
application also claims the earliest available effective filing
date(s) from, and also incorporates by reference in its entirety
all subject matter of any and all parent, grandparent,
great-grandparent, etc. applications of the Related Application(s)
to the extent such subject matter is not inconsistent herewith:
U.S. provisional patent application 62/485,961, entitled "Multi
Chamber GFCI Housing Apparatus", naming Victor V. Aromin as first
inventor, filed 16 Apr. 2017.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A water resistant electronic circuit (EC) housing, the EC
housing, comprising: a printed circuit board (PCB) chamber; a cable
chamber, wherein the cable chamber is isolated from the PCB
chamber; and wherein the overall length of the electronic circuit
housing is less than or equal to 3.95 inches, and wherein the
volume of the PCB chamber is substantially equal to 9.25 cubic
inches, and wherein the internal volume of the cable chamber is
substantially equal to 7.35 cubic inches, and the ratio of the PCB
chamber volume to the cable chamber volume is substantially
constant at 1.26 cubic inches; a neutral contact blade having a
center line substantially perpendicular to the EC housing, wherein
the neutral contact blade is substantially 1.07 inches from the
neutral contact blade center line to the face of the EC housing;
and a top housing, wherein the top housing comprises a groove
circumscribing the top housing; a bottom housing, wherein the
bottom housing comprises a compression ridge circumscribing the
bottom housing, wherein the compression ridge is mateable with the
top housing groove, wherein the bottom housing comprises: a bottom
PCB chamber housing, wherein the bottom PCB chamber housing
comprises a PCB chamber housing mating face and wherein the PCB
chamber housing mating face comprises a second groove; a bottom
cable chamber cover, wherein the bottom cable chamber cover
comprises a bottom chamber cover mating face and wherein the bottom
chamber cover mating face comprises a second compression ridge
mateable with the second groove; and wherein the bottom PCB chamber
housing and the top housing define a water resistant PCB chamber;
and wherein the bottom PCB chamber housing, the bottom cable
chamber cover, and the top housing define a water resistant cable
chamber.
2. The EC housing as in claim 1 wherein the second groove is
disposed substantially between the PCB chamber and the cable
chamber.
3. The EC housing as in claim 1, wherein the PCB chamber housing
mating face comprises a plurality of terminal connectors.
4. The EC housing as in claim 3 wherein the plurality of terminal
connectors project substantially into the cable chamber when the
PCB chamber housing is mated with the top housing.
5. The EC housing as in claim 1 further comprising: a compressible
gasket disposed within the groove circumscribing the top housing;
and the compressible gasket disposed within the second groove.
6. A water resistant ground fault interrupter circuit (GFCI)
housing comprising: a top housing cover comprising a length L1 and
a groove circumscribing the top housing; a bottom PCB housing cover
mateable with the top housing cover comprising: a length L2,
wherein L2 is substantially 2.2 inches; a first compression ridge
disposed along a top housing mating surface; a bottom cable cover
mateable with the top housing cover and the bottom PCB housing
cover comprising: a length L3, wherein L3 is less than or equal to
1.75 inches, wherein L2+L3=L1; a second compression ridge disposed
along a second top housing mating surface; wherein the bottom PCB
housing cover comprises a second groove disposed along a bottom
cable cover mating surface; wherein the bottom cable cover
comprises a third compression ridge disposed along a bottom PCB
housing mating surface; and a neutral contact blade having a center
line substantially perpendicular to the GFCI housing, wherein the
neutral contact blade is substantially 1.07 inches from the neutral
contact blade center line to the face of the GFCI housing.
7. The GFCI housing as in claim 6 wherein the top housing cover
comprises a width W1, wherein W1 is greater than 1 inch and less
than 2 inches.
8. The GFCI housing as in claim 6 wherein the bottom PCB housing
cover assembled with the top housing cover comprises a GFCI circuit
chamber, wherein the GFCI circuit chamber comprises a volume not
less than 8.5 cubic inches.
9. The GFCI housing, as in claim 6 wherein the bottom PCB housing
cover further comprises a terminal block.
10. The GFCI housing as in claim 6 wherein the bottom cable cover
assembled with the top housing cover and the bottom PCB housing
cover comprises a cable chamber.
11. The GFCI housing as in claim 6 further comprising a
compressible gasket disposed along the groove circumscribing the
top housing and the second groove disposed along the bottom cable
cover mating surface.
Description
FIELD OF USE
The present invention relates generally to ground fault safety
devices and more specifically to circuit interrupter
enclosures.
DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART (BACKGROUND)
It is well known for electrical appliances, such as hair dryers, to
draw electrical power through connection to a power source, such as
an electrical outlet. Specifically, the electrical appliance (which
serves as the load of the electrical system) is connected to the
power source by a pair of current-carrying wires. The pair of
current-carrying wires typically include a hot wire and a neutral
wire, the pair of wires having equal but opposite magnitudes under
normal conditions.
On occasion, the electrical system may experience a ground fault
condition while the load is connected to the power supply. A ground
fault condition occurs when the differential between the values of
the currents of the two wires exceeds a predetermined value. Often
a ground fault will occur if the hot line becomes inadvertently
grounded. A ground fault condition can result in a loss of power to
the electrical appliance because current is unable to flow to the
load. As a consequence, an excessive amount of current tends to
flow into the ground conductor of the electrical system which, in
turn, creates dangerous voltage levels at points in the circuit
that should be at ground potential. This condition can result in
potentially dangerous electrical shocks, which could seriously
injure an individual.
Accordingly, ground fault safety devices are commonly employed in
such electrical systems to eliminate ground fault conditions. One
type of ground fault safety device is the ground fault circuit
interrupter (GFCI). Another type of ground fault safety device is
the appliance leakage current interrupter (ALCI). Ground fault
circuit interrupters are used to eliminate ground fault conditions
as well as grounded neutral conditions, whereas appliance leakage
current interrupter are used only to eliminate ground fault
conditions.
Both types of ground fault safety devices prevent ground fault
conditions from occurring by opening the electric circuit upon the
detection of a ground fault condition in the pair of wires. It is
known to incorporate GFCI's and ALCI's into electrical plugs,
electrical switches and electrical receptacles.
GFCIs and ALCIs are commonly mounted within a generally rectangular
housing having a top, a bottom, a front end and a rear end. The
housing is attached to the appliance by an electrical cord which
extends into the housing from the rear end. A pair of prongs
(blades) typically extend out from the housing and are sized,
shaped and spaced away from each other so that they can be inserted
into the sockets of an electrical outlet, thus making contact and
closing the circuit.
The electrical cord is connected inside the housing to a terminal
block. Access to the terminal block often requires that the housing
be disassembled to reveal the terminal block connections. However,
disassembly of the housing usually exposes the GFCI or ALCI
circuitry to potential damage which may not be discovered until
operation, leading to potentially catastrophic damage and/or
injury.
Furthermore, components used to build the GFCI and ALCI circuits
include discrete components (e.g., diodes, resistors, capacitors,
etc), printed circuit boards (PCBs), solenoids, and relays. The
relative location of these components, including electrical PCB
traces, is critical to prevent electrical arcing between the
components. Thus, there must be sufficient housing volume to allow
for sufficient spacing between components and electrical PCB traces
to prevent the risk of arcing between the components. However, the
housing enclosing the circuits and the terminal block is
constrained in certain dimensions according to electrical codes and
standards.
Furthermore, the GFCI and/or ALCI circuits are susceptible to
moisture damage. Consequently, there exists a need to prevent or
retard moisture seepage into the circuit area. Where the terminal
block and the circuitry share a common space, as in the prior art,
moisture seepage into the common space may cause unknown circuitry
damage to the GFCI tripping circuit and/or hardware leading to
potentially catastrophic damage and/or injury.
Similarly, circuit breakers with ground fault or arc fault systems
typically include a self-test button. These button designs usually
include a mechanical spring, a secondary contact, and a
hard-plastic Push to Test (PTT) button. The test button is
typically biased by a mechanical force provided by the spring. As
the test button is depressed, the mechanical spring makes contact
with a secondary contact. The secondary contact can be made of a
similar material as the mechanical spring and may have spring type
properties, or the secondary contact may be a stationary pin
mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB).
One disadvantage is that a gap between the test button and a
housing of the circuit breaker is present before or during when the
button is depressed. When the gap between the button and the
housing is present, several concerns arise related to moisture,
corrosion, and potential electric shock. With the gap present,
internal components are exposed to outside moisture and/or other
containments that could disable the tripping functions of the test
button. Although PCB's are typically conformal coated, this does
not guarantee that moisture could not damage the PCB and/or related
electrical components and disable the push to test button and/or
present the possibility of the a user being exposed to electrical
shock.
BRIEF SUMMARY
The foregoing and other problems are overcome, and other advantages
are realized, in accordance with the presently preferred
embodiments of these teachings.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention an
electronic circuit (EC) housing is provided. The EC housing
includes a printed circuit board (PCB) chamber and a cable chamber
isolated from the PCB chamber. The overall length of the electronic
circuit housing is less than or equal to 3.95 inches, and the
volume of the PCB chamber is substantially equal to 9.25 cubic
inches. The internal volume of the cable chamber is substantially
equal to 7.35 cubic inches, and the ratio of the PCB chamber volume
to the cable chamber volume is substantially constant at 1.26.
The invention is also directed towards a water-resistant ground
fault interrupter circuit (GFCI) housing. The housing includes a
top housing cover having, a length L1 and a groove circumscribing
the top housing. The housing also includes a bottom housing cover
mateable with the top housing cover and having a length L2, wherein
L2 is substantially 2.2 inches. The bottom housing also includes a
first compression ridge disposed along the top housing mating
surfaces. The bottom housing cover also includes a second groove
disposed along the bottom cable cover mating surface. Also included
is a bottom cable cover mateable with the top housing cover and the
bottom housing cover. The bottom cable cover has a length L3,
wherein L3 is less than or equal to 1.75 inches. Overall, L2+L3=L1.
The bottom cable cover also includes a second compression ridge
disposed the top housing mating surfaces (i.e., the edge of the
bottom cable cover that is mateable with the top housing). The
bottom cable cover includes a third compression ridge disposed
along the bottom housing mating surface.
Various other features and advantages will appear from the
description to follow. In the description, reference is made to the
accompanying drawings which form a part thereof, and in which is
shown by way of illustration, specific embodiments for practicing
the invention. These embodiments will be described in sufficient
detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the
invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be
utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing
from the scope of the invention. The following detailed description
is therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is
particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at
the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other
objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent
from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a GFCI housing according to this
invention:
FIG. 1B is a perspective view of test, reset water intrusion
barrier button caps and indicator lens and watertight ring;
FIG. 2 is a side view of circuit housing shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a partially disassembled circuit housing
shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an exploded top perspective view of the circuit housing
shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the circuit
housing shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a partially disassembled circuit housing
shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is an inside illustration of the top housing shown in FIG.
1;
FIG. 8 is an illustration of the continuous compressible gasket
shown in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a crosscut view taken along the line 9-9 in FIG. 2;
FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the compression ridge,
groove, and compressible gasket shown in FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the housing shown in FIG. 1, and
illustrates relative dimensions;
FIG. 12 is a top view of the housing shown in FIG. 1 and
illustrates relative dimensions;
FIG. 13 is a side view of the housing shown in FIG. 1 and
illustrates relative dimensions;
FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the housing shown in FIG. 1 and
illustrates relative dimensions; and
FIG. 15 is a side view of the housing shown in FIG. 1 and
illustrates the alignment of the finger grip area with the contact
blades and neutral pin to facilitate removal of the housing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The following brief definition of terms shall apply throughout the
application:
The term "comprising" means including but not limited to, and
should be interpreted in the manner it is typically used in the
patent context;
The phrases "in one embodiment," "according to one embodiment," and
the like generally mean that the particular feature, structure, or
characteristic following the phrase may be included in at least one
embodiment of the present invention, and may be included in more
than one embodiment of the present invention (importantly, such
phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment);
If the specification describes something as "exemplary" or an
"example," it should be understood that refers to a non-exclusive
example: and
If the specification states a component or feature "may," "can,"
"could," "should," "preferably," "possibly," "typically,"
"optionally," "for example," or "might" (or other such language) be
included or have a characteristic, that particular component or
feature is not required to be included or to have the
characteristic.
Referring now to FIG. 1 there is shown is a perspective view of a
circuit housing 10 according to this invention. Circuit housing 10
includes bottom PCB housing 17, bottom cable cover 13, and a top
housing 15. Also, shown in FIG. 1 are water intrusion barrier
button caps 16 and 18 and trip indication lens 19. GFCI housing 10
can be made from any suitable fire retardant material having
material properties with flame ratings in accordance with
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 94, the Standard for Safety of
Flammability of Plastic Materials for Parts in Devices and
Appliances. In one embodiment, suitable materials such as
thermoplastic polyester resins based on polybutylene terephthalate
(PBT) and/or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polymers may be
used.
Referring also to FIG. 1B there is shown a perspective view of
test, reset water intrusion barrier button caps 16 and 18 and
indicator lens 19 and watertight ring 19A. Water intrusion barrier
caps 16 and 18 are flexible circular shaped membrane for fitting
over a PTT button (not shown) and projecting through openings 16O
and 18O, respectively (see FIG. 4). Barrier caps 16 and 18 include
grooved circular channels 16A, 18A, configured to mate with
circular shoulders on the underside of top housing 15 (see FIG. 5)
to form a water-resistant seal to exclude moisture and contaminants
from the housing at the openings 16O and 18O.
Still referring to FIG. 1B, there is shown watertight ring 19A.
Watertight ring 19A fits snugly over lens 19 and mates with top
housing 15 to form a water-resistant seal to exclude moisture and
contaminants from the housing at the opening 19O.
Referring also to FIG. 2 there is shown a side view of circuit
housing 10 shown in FIG. 1. Shown in FIG. 2 is grasp ledge 21
adapted to provide a hand or finger grasping area (see FIG. 15:
21A) and leverage for plugging and unplugging circuit housing 10.
Also, referenced in FIG. 2 is height H1. H1 is used in subsequent
formulas for determining overall enclosed volume of circuit housing
10.
Referring also to FIG. 3 there is shown a bottom view of a
partially disassembled circuit housing 10 shown in FIG. 1. Shown in
FIG. 3 is, cable chamber 61; electric wires or cables 31, 33, and
35 for conducting electricity and providing an electrical ground
path. Also, shown in FIG. 3 is terminal block 17B. It will be
appreciated that terminal block 17B and PCB housing 17 are one
piece. Terminal block 17B provides connection 39 (only one
connection is shown) for electric wires, e.g., wire 35.
Still referring to FIG. 3 there is shown a portion of the
compressible gasket 12. Compressible gasket 12 may be any suitable
compressible material; such as, for example, natural rubber,
silicon rubber, urethane rubber, latex, neoprene, and other similar
materials.
Referring also to FIG. 4 there is shown an exploded top perspective
view of the circuit housing 10 shown in FIG. 1. Shown in FIG. 4 is
a top view of top housing 15, reset and test openings, 16O, 18O,
respectively, and lens opening 19O; the inner underside of PCB
housing 17; compression ridge 17C for compressing a portion of
compression gasket 12 when PCB housing 17 is mated with top housing
15, PCB housing mating face 17A for mating with cable housing
mating face 13A, the inner underside of cable housing 13, cable
housing compression ridge 43 for mating with PCB housing groove 41
and compressing a portion of compression gasket 12 (see FIG. 3,
FIG. 5); and compression ridge 10B for compressing another portion
of compression gasket 12 when the cable housing 13 is mated with
top housing 15. Also, shown in FIG. 4 is ride wall 13B which
demarks one side of the cable chamber (see FIG. 6, item 61).
Referring also to FIG. 5 there is shown an exploded bottom
perspective view of the circuit housing 10 shown in FIG. 1. Shown
in FIG. 5 is a top view of PCB housing 17, PCB housing mating face
17A for mating with cable housing mating face 13A (see FIG. 4-13A),
integrated terminal block 17B (i.e., terminal block 17B is a one
piece with PCB housing 17), and a top view of cable housing 13.
Also, shown in FIG. 5 is perspective view of the inner underside of
top housing 15; an underside view of water intrusion barrier caps
16 and 18 in place flush against the inner underside of top housing
15, and lens 19 and watertight ring 19A, flush against the inner
underside 62 of top housing 15. Also shown in FIG. 5 is a portion
of compression gasket 12 within top housing groove 51
circumscribing the top housing 15.
Referring also to FIG. 6 there is shown a bottom view of a
partially disassembled circuit housing 10 shown in FIG. 1. Shown in
FIG. 6 is perspective view of the inner underside 62 of top housing
15; an underside view of water intrusion barrier caps 16 and 18 in
place flush against the inner underside of top housing 15, and lens
19 and watertight ring 19A, flush against the inner underside 62 of
top housing 15. Also, shown in FIG. 6 is cable chamber 61 formed by
mating cable chamber housing 13 with top housing 15. Also, shown in
FIG. 6 is a portion of compression gasket 12 within top housing
groove 51 circumscribing the top housing 15.
Referring also to FIG. 7 there is shown an inside illustration 62
of the top housing 15 shown in FIG. 1. Shown in FIG. 7 is
compressible gasket 12 circumscribing top housing 15 within groove
51 circumscribing top housing 15. Also shown is transverse
compressible gasket 12B, joined to compressible gasket 12 at joints
12C and 12D. It will be appreciated that compressible gasket 12 and
transverse compressible gasket 12B are one piece as shown in FIG.
8. It will be understood that transverse compressible gasket 12B
fits within PCB housing groove 41 (see FIG. 3 and/or FIG. 4).
Referring also to FIG. 9 there is shown a crosscut view taken along
the line 9-9 in FIG. 2. Shown in FIG. 9 is cable chamber housing 13
mated with top housing 15. Compressing ridge 10B compresses
compression gasket 12 in channel 51 forming a water-resistant
barrier. Referring also to FIG. 10 there is shown an enlarged
perspective view of the compression ridge 10B, groove 51, and
compressible gasket 12 shown in FIG. 9.
Referring also to FIG. 11 there is shown a bottom view of the
housing 10 shown in FIG. 1, and illustrates relative dimensions.
The overall length L1 of the electronic circuit housing 10 is less
than or equal to 3.95 inches, and the volume of the PCB chamber
defined by L2, W1, and H1 (shown in FIG. 2) is substantially equal
to 9.25 cubic inches. The internal volume of the cable chamber
(FIG. 6-6l) is substantially equal to 7.35 cubic inches, and the
ratio of the PCB chamber volume to the cable chamber volume is
substantially constant at 1.26. It will be appreciated that
isolating the cable chamber from the PCB chamber and holding the
volume of each chamber constant provides sufficient housing volume
to allow for sufficient spacing between electrical components (not
shown) and electrical PCB traces (not shown) to prevent the risk of
arcing between the components while also adhering to certain
constrained dimensions according to electrical codes and standards;
such as, for example UL 943 Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters, and
UL 840 Insulation Coordination Including Clearances and Creepage
Distances for Electrical Equipment, both incorporated by reference
in their entirety.
Still referring to FIG. 11, in one embodiment, the PCB housing
cover 17 L2 is substantially 2.2 inches. The bottom cable cover 13
length L3, wherein L3 is less than or equal to 1.75 inches.
Overall, L2+L3=L1.
Referring also to FIG. 12 there is, shown a top view of the housing
shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 12 illustrates relative dimensions of the
width and length of the housing shown in FIG. 1.
Referring also to FIG. 13 and FIG. 15 there is shown a side view of
the housing shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 13 illustrates relative dimension
of the height of the housing shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 13 also shows
the relative position of the centers of the neutral and line
contact blades (FIG. 15:151A, 151B) to the top of the housing (FIG.
15: 155).
Referring also to FIG. 14 there is shown a bottom view of the
housing shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 14 illustrates relative dimensions of
the neutral and line contact blades to the sides of the housing
shown in FIG. 1.
Referring also to FIG. 15 there shown a side view of the housing
shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 15 illustrates the alignment of the finger
grip ledge 21 and finger grip area 21 with the neutral contact
blade 151A, line contact blade 151B and neutral pin 152 to
facilitate removal of the housing 10 from a receptacle (not shown).
It will be appreciated that the closer alignment of the finger grip
ledge 21 and finger grip area 21 with neutral contact blade 151A,
line contact blade 151B and neutral pin 152 (see alignment line
154) facilitates easier removal of the housing 10 by application of
removal force nearly directly and opposite to the frictional
holding forces exerted by a receptacle.
It will also be appreciated that the finger grip ledge 21 and
finger grip area 21 located in the top housing 15 allows for easier
accessibility and griping of the housing 10 to facilitate removal
of the housing from a receptacle (not shown).
It should be understood that the foregoing description is only
illustrative of the invention. Thus, various alternatives and
modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without
departing from the invention. Accordingly, the present invention,
is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and
variances that fall within the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *